PCMag UK editors-choice

TextExpander

William Fenton — Thu, 16 May 2024 13:20:49 +0000

Automate your typing in just a few keystrokes

Smile's Mac shortcut utility TextExpander 4 ($34.95) has taught me how much of what I do can be automated. A sobering proposition I suppose, but once I accepted the repetition of my writing practices, I realized I could use it to truncate my most tedious tasks. From …

Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art Review

Jim Fisher — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 15:42:00 +0000

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art captures wide views with loads of detail, and offers weather protection, adding appeal for landscape and outdoor photographers.

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art ($1,399) is the company's first ultra-wide zoom lens designed for mirrorless systems. The benefits are clear—it's smaller and lighter than the 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art for SLR systems, and just as well built. It's yet another …

Jabra Elite 75t Review

Tim Gideon — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 21:50:00 +0000

The Jabra Elite 75t earphones fit securely and deliver bass-forward, powerful true wireless audio you can tune to your liking though an impressive companion app.

Jabra's latest true wireless earphones, the Elite 75t, aren't cheap at $179.99, but they have something for just about everyone. Out of the box they deliver a bass-forward sound signature in a secure-fitting, sweat-resistant design. They also work with an excellent companion app that offers 5-band EQ to …

Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX502 Review

Matthew Elliott — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 21:11:00 +0000

The Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX502 is one of the slimmest, most versatile gaming laptops you can buy. With support for both G-Sync and Optimus, it's a high-power rig for play and a decent-battery one for productivity tasks.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX502 (starts at $1,899.99; $2,199.99 as tested) sees the company's slim gaming laptop maintain its sleek profile while returning to a more conventional design: The keyboard's no longer perched on the front edge of the machine, and nobody banished the touchpad to the corner. …

BenQ EX2780Q Review

Tony Hoffman — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 14:39:00 +0000

BenQ's EX2780Q is primarily a gaming monitor, but its punchy sound system and deft handling of HDR make it a winning all-around screen for general entertainment, too.

BenQ's EX2780Q ($599) is primarily geared toward gaming—with a 144Hz refresh rate and support for AMD's FreeSync technology—but this 27-inch monitor has some unusual features that set it apart. These include a remote control, and—most noteworthy—a surprisingly good speaker system, bolstered by a subwoofer to provide crisp bass. It does …

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X Review

Chris Stobing — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 14:00:00 +0000

AMD's 32-core Ryzen Threadripper 3970X performs so far ahead of the curve that it practically creates a new class of consumer-accessible CPU. If you're a pro content creator with the ready cash, look no further: This is the V16 engine that makes your heart rate rev up.

In the world of desktop processors below the server level, nothing out there is quite like AMD's new $1,999 Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, one of three elite chips in the third generation of AMD's mega-CPU line. Featuring 32 cores and 64 threads, this chip is, at the moment, the crème de …

Falcon Northwest Talon (2019)

Matthew Buzzi — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 14:00:00 +0000
The workstation-grade 2019 Talon configuration we tested is a killer performer, thanks to Intel's latest professional CPU and twin high-end Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs. A less expensive model, though, will still benefit from the top-class assembly.
Falcon Northwest is one of our favorite boutique manufacturers, and with the high-quality system it put out this year in the form of the 2019 Talon (starts at $2,432; $5,931 as tested), it's easy to see why. Our configuration of this beautifully designed and built tower has been packed to …

Dell XPS 13 (7390) Review

Tom Brant — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:13:00 +0000
Packing Intel's latest 10th Generation "Comet Lake" CPUs (now, with up to six cores), the latest rev of Dell's XPS 13 is one of the most powerful and best designed ultraportables you can buy.
The latest update to the Dell XPS 13 brings Intel's cutting-edge 10th Generation processors to this venerable ultraportable laptop. (It's in the …

HP Omen X 2S

Charles Jefferies — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 18:54:00 +0000
HP's unique Omen X 2S has a 15.6-inch main screen and a 6-inch adjunct screen for in-game communications, social-media peeks, and more. A sturdy build, Nvidia G-Sync support, hushed fans, and surprising pricing make it a great pick for a top-line gaming laptop.
HP's Omen X 2S (starts at $1,899; $2,499 as tested) is a high-end player that, thanks to the addition of a second built-in screen, is unambiguously unique among gaming laptops. Like on the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, the second screen is located just forward of the keyboard. While it's …

Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch Review

Tom Brant — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:17:00 +0000
With a larger display, a beefier graphics chip, and (vitally and finally!) an improved keyboard, Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro is a beyond-capable big-screen powerhouse built for creatives.
The story's not just the new screen size. From small changes such as the ability to adjust the display refresh rate, to major …

iRobot Roomba s9+ Review

Brenda Stolyar — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:31:00 +0000
iRobot's Roomba s9+ is expensive, but its intelligent navigation, super-powerful suction, and ability to empty itself out make it the best robot vacuum we've tested.
iRobot really impressed us with the Roomba i7+, the first robot vacuum we tested than can clean your home and then …

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X Review

Chris Stobing — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:08:00 +0000
If you thought AMD was done upending the processor market in 2019, hold its drink: The Ryzen 9 3950X redefines what a CPU under $800 can do in multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
Sixteen cores sure is sweet. Featuring a few less cores than AMD's forthcoming Ryzen Threadripper 3 CPUs, but a few more than …

Adobe Dreamweaver CC

Edward Mendelson — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:51:00 +0000
Dreamweaver has long been the only serious choice among advanced website-design tools. For both graphic designers and serious coders, it remains the best choice for custom-built mobile and desktop sites.
You can build websites using any of dozens of tools—some that run online, some that run on your local computer, some that run partly online, partly on your machine—but Adobe Dreamweaver 2020 stands alone as the only site-building app that's just as suitable for individual designers as it for …

Docebo Review

Molly Mclaughlin — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 16:00:00 +0000
Docebo has garnered our Editors' Choice award for not only providing an attractive and intuitive user interface, but also an advanced feature set, including gamification, and a vast array of third-party integrations.
When shopping for an online learning platform, you'll quickly find they come in two primary flavors. First, there's software for companies that sell training content to other businesses. Second, there are tools for companies that develop and deliver their content in-house. Tools such as Firmwater are best for training companies …

Absorb LMS Review

Molly Mclaughlin — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 16:00:00 +0000
If you have a midsize to large business with employees to train, then Absorb LMS is the most attractive and functional turnkey learning management system we have tested.
In the crowded corporate learning management system (LMS) market, Absorb LMS breaks away from the pack by providing an extensive feature list (from gamification to integrated e-commerce), smart tag-based filtering, and a best-in-class contextual user interface (UI) with responsive web design. Sure, there are more affordable alternatives, …

Vivint Car Guard

John R. Delaney — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:43:00 +0000
The Vivint Car Guard uses GPS and cellular technology to track your vehicle's whereabouts, send speed and maintenance alerts, and tell you why your check engine light is on. It'll even trigger your smart home devices if your parked car is tampered with.
One of our top picks for monitoring your home, Vivint Smart Home, now offers a way to use your mobile device to monitor your car whether it's parked at home or in a lot, or being driven out on the open road. The Vivint Car Guard ($199) plugs directly …

ProtonVPN (for macOS)

Max Eddy — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 15:13:00 +0000
ProtonVPN offers a unique set of privacy tools in a well-designed client app, available at several affordable price points. It's an Editors' Choice for macOS VPNs.
You could be forgiven for assuming that a VPN from a bunch of CERN scientists who previously built a business around secure email wouldn't produce the most exciting VPN client for macOS. ProtonVPN surpasses expectations, however, delivering many privacy features in a smart, flexible app, that can …

TSheets Review

Juan Martinez — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:00:00 +0000
TSheets is one of the most well-rounded of the purpose-built time tracking apps we tested. An intuitive interface, robust feature set, and an overall competitive price make this a solid Editors' Choice winner.
TSheets sets the standard for pure play time tracking tools. It's not only purpose-built to record and deliver time entry data, it's also got a robust reporting engine to manipulate that data however customers require. For this excellent degree of focus as well as an intuitive user …

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Review

Will Greenwald — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:29:00 +0000
The Series 2 version of Microsoft's Xbox Elite controller is one of the best-feeling, most customizable gamepads available for the Xbox One and PCs.
The original Xbox Elite Wireless Controller was one of the best wireless gamepads we had seen up to 2015, with a solid build, interchangeable analog stick caps and direction pads, and removable, programmable paddles on the back. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to last very long, and the exterior soft-touch …

Zotac GeForce GTX 1660 Super Twin Fan Review

Chris Stobing — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 14:00:00 +0000
If you've been holding off on a mainstream video card for 1080p gaming, the GeForce GTX 1660 Super could be your trigger to buy: It's a solid-playing, popularly priced waypoint between the GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Ti.
The GeForce GTX 1660 graphics card family hasn't been out for even a year, but it looks like Nvidia's penchant to "Super"-size all its cards has given it its turn in the Super barrel. As a budget-focused graphics card built for 1080p gameplay, the new GeForce GTX 1660 Super …

BenQ PD3220U DesignVue Designer Monitor Review

Tony Hoffman — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:06:00 +0000
The BenQ PD3220U DesignVue Designer Monitor provides a winning combination of a large screen, UHD resolution, good color accuracy, and a host of convenience features as a professional monitor for designers, videographers, and photographers.
Designed for video editors, photographers, and graphic designers, the $1,199.99 BenQ PD3220U DesignVue Designer Monitor provides a 32-inch-class screen with a UHD (4K, or 3,840-by-2,160-pixel) native panel resolution, good color accuracy, a wide selection of ports, and a host of convenience features. Examples of the latter include an ergonomic stand, …

HP Z2 Tower G4

Charles Jefferies — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:59:00 +0000
HP's Z2 Tower G4 measures up to the workstation competition and then some. As tested with an Intel Core i9 CPU and an Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 GPU, it offers solid performance per dollar and quiet operation, not to mention excellent expansion potential.
HP's Z2 Tower G4 (starts at $909; $3,499 as tested) is a workstation PC line that spans entry-level (as HP defines it) to …

Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II Review

Jim Fisher — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:07:00 +0000
The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a pocket camera that will make enthusiasts happy, with a solid zoom range, a 1-inch sensor, and an electronic viewfinder.
The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II ($899.99) follows the same idea as its predecessor, 2016's G5 X, but the …

Canon imageClass LBP226dw Review

William Harrel — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 17:44:00 +0000
The Canon imageClass LBP226dw is a monochrome laser printer that produces terrific-looking text, graphics, and grayscale photos at a respectable speed and with low running costs.
A monochrome laser printer made for medium-duty use in small offices, the Canon imageClass LBP226dw ($299) delivers excellent speed and high-quality output in both text and graphics. Unlike many other entry-level monochrome laser printers, the LBP226dw also offers low running costs and the option to expand its paper capacity. …

Xerox B210 Review

William Harrel — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 22:11:00 +0000
The Xerox B210 is relatively fast, it prints well, and its long-term costs are affordable, making it an excellent entry-level single-function monochrome printer.
The Xerox B210 ($149.99), part of a new round of the company's monochrome laser printers, is a print-only, low-cost, entry-level machine designed for use in a home-based or small office. This small-but-mighty printer produces quality output, is affordable to use, and has a respectable paper capacity. All these perks, …

HyperX Alloy Origins Review

Mike Epstein — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 20:47:00 +0000
If premium features aren't what you're after, HyperX's Alloy Origins may be the nicest no-nonsense midrange mechanical keyboard around.
HyperX's newest keyboard, the $109.99 Alloy Origins, is a keyboard nerd's kind of gear. It's a simple mechanical keyboard, but it's well-crafted and feels good to type on. The pieces that set it apart are its new proprietary switches, dubbed HyperX Red, which thread the needle between Cherry's and Razer's …

Netgear XRM570 Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi Router and Mesh WiFi System Review

John R. Delaney — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 19:25:00 +0000
The Netgear XRM570 Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi Router and Mesh WiFi System pairs a powerful gaming router with a tri-band range extender to deliver excellent overall performance.
Designed with gamers in mind, the Netgear XRM570 Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi Router and Mesh WiFi System ($399.99) uses the latest 802.11ac circuitry …

Status Audio BT One Review

Tim Gideon — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 21:42:00 +0000
The Status Audio BT One wireless headphones deliver strong audio in a handsome design for a surprisingly affordable price.
Glance at the Status Audio BT One, you probably won't guess these stylish Bluetooth headphones cost just $99. For that price, they can't look and sound great, right? Surprisingly, they can. They're not the best wireless on-ears we've ever tested, but in this affordable price range, …

Sony a7R IV Review

Jim Fisher — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:24:00 +0000
The full-frame mirrorless Sony a7R IV outshines its high-resolution competition with an outstanding autofocus system and a superlative image sensor, delivering class-leading performance.
The Sony a7R IV ($3,499.99, body only) is the follow-up to the popular a7R III. It takes the same concept—a …

Alcatel Go Flip 3 Review

Sascha Segan — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:23:00 +0000
The Alcatel Go Flip 3 is the feature phone we've been waiting for, with just enough smart features to make it convenient to use.
The Alcatel Go Flip 3 ($99 at Metro)—known by various names on various carriers, including the Alcatel Smartflip at AT&T and Cricket—is the …

Olympus Tough TG-6 Review

Jim Fisher — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:25:00 +0000
The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a modest update to our favorite underwater point-and-shoot camera thanks to its tough design, bright lens, and excellent macro capabilities.
Year after year, model after model, Olympus has bested all other competition with its flagship waterproof TG series. Its latest entry, the TG-6 ($449), doesn't break far from the established confines of the series. It's a pocketable camera with a lens that's makes it a decent low-light option, and …

GoPro Hero8 Black Review

Jim Fisher — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 14:00:00 +0000
The GoPro Hero8 Black is the company's best action camera to date, offering class-leading stabilization and video quality in a rugged, waterproof body.
The GoPro Hero8 Black ($399) is the latest flagship action camera from the company that created the category. The small, …

Square Point of Sale Review

Molly Mclaughlin — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +0000
Square Point of Sale is an option with a great feature selection for organizations looking for flat, predictable pricing. With all that it offers and a reasonable price, it takes our Editors' Choice award.
Square Point of Sale is known for its intuitive and straightforward experience in the point-of-sale space. Square moves ahead of other products in its class with its flatter price structure and presents custom pricing for merchants that do annual sales of up to $250,000. The service can …

Vend POS

Barbara Krasnoff — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 20:00:00 +0000
Vend POS checks most of the boxes small businesses are looking for when it comes to a point-of-sale solution. A solid feature set, support for multiple hardware platforms, including mobile devices, and a competitive price earn this platform our Editors' Choice award.
Vend POS starts at $99 per month (for the Lite plan based on an annual subscription), and delivers a very competitive point-of-sale (POS) platform aimed squarely at small to midsized businesses (SMBs). The solution designed to appeal to inventory-oriented customers rather than service-focused businesses. Vend POS has …

Apple Watch Series 5 Review

Brenda Stolyar — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 21:10:00 +0000
The Apple Watch Series 5 doesn't feature any drastic changes, but an always-on display makes the best smartwatch you can buy even better.
The Apple Watch is truly a product of iteration—every year, it gets better just enough to stay ahead of the competition. This year, …

Hisense 65H9F Review

Will Greenwald — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 21:06:00 +0000
The Hisense H9F series is one of the best budget TV lines we've seen, with strong contrast and extraordinary color range and accuracy.
As a manufacturer primarily of budget-friendly TVs, Hisense has consistently impressed us with the value of its products. The H8F we tested earlier this year remains a very strong option, at $700 for a 65-inch screen with excellent contrast and color. The H9F is a step up, and …

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX Review

Gretchen Newcomb — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 21:42:00 +0000
The Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX sets a new benchmark for high-end aftermarket head units and allows you to add the latest connectivity to almost any car.
Once upon a time, if you wanted the latest and greatest technology in the dashboard you'd head to a car stereo store after buying a new vehicle to yank out the factory radio and replace it with an aftermarket head unit with features that wouldn't be available in production vehicles …

2019 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring

Gretchen Newcomb — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 21:24:00 +0000
The Honda Accord Hybrid Touring balances fuel efficiency with performance, making it an ideal midsize sedan for daily commuters dealing with stop-and-go traffic.

Fujifilm Fujinon GF 120mm F4 R LM OIS WR Macro

Jim Fisher — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 15:11:00 +0000
The Fujifilm Fujinon GF 120mm F4 R LM OIS WR Macro delivers exceptional resolution and is built for all-weather use.
Fujifilm wowed us with its 100MP GFX100 medium format camera, but all of those pixels are only as good as the glass in front of them. The Fujinon GF 120mm F4 LM OIS WR Macro ($2,699) is one of the first lenses we've been able to …

Fujifilm GFX100 Review

Jim Fisher — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 21:38:00 +0000
The Fujifilm GFX100 is, bar none, the best medium format camera on the market today, thanks to an advanced autofocus system and in-body stabilization.
The Fujifilm GFX100 ($9,999.95, body only) is unlike any medium format camera that's come before. It's the first we've seen with on-sensor phase detection focus, a feature that puts it on par with full-frame systems for capturing moving subjects, along with in-body stabilization to curb blur. Its …